His day began at 6 a.m., when he went out back to check on his steers.

After that, he went to Industrial High School, where he takes his junior-level classes and came right back home to check on his steers.

All that work paid off for him Friday evening as he took home the grand champion award in the steer show at the Victoria Livestock Show. His steer won from a field of 26 steers.

"I was hoping for the best," said Dustin, 16. "This steer is probably the best one I've shown."

Saturday was his second time to win grand champion honors, as he claimed the same prize in 2010.

His younger brother, Dylan, also competed in the steer show but did not place as high.

"It would have been hard to cheer for both, but I'm glad one of them won," said their mother, Susan Hempel. "Dustin is always out there messing around with his animals. It's nonstop. He's one very hard worker, and Momma is proud."

While Dustin said he can no longer show steers because he has won grand champion twice, he can still show his heifers. He said he is unsure what he will show next year.

His mother, while holding his son's grand champion ribbon, felt a tug as her youngest son, Derek, 4, grabbed her leg. She looked up from him and smiled.